March 7, 2009 - Results
Dons Offense Bounces Back in Win over Golden West

SANTA ANA, CA - The Santa Ana College (SAC) baseball team defeated visiting Golden West College (GWC) 11-7 in an Orange Empire Conference game. The Dons 11 runs came after they managed only four runs in their last two games combined.

GWC (7-11-2, 0-4) scored first when leadoff batter Alec Rosales singled up the middle of the infield and later scored when Scott Schauer singled through the right side. The inning was kept alive by a passed ball on a third strike that would have ended the inning.

The Dons (14-6, 3-2) answered quickly in the bottom of the first when Marcus Piazzisi drew a leadoff walk. He later advanced to third on a throwing error on a failed pick off attempt and scored on a sacrifice fly Matt Hart.

SAC scored its second run in the second inning when Efrain Mendoza reached on an infield single and later stole second base. After Cory Goodchild reached on a bunt single that advanced Mendoza to third, Marcus Piazzisi hit a RBI-single scoring Mendoza.

The Rustlers came back to take a 3-2 lead in the top of the fourth inning when Jordan Tripp and Chris Devenski hit back-to-back home runs in the first two at bats of the inning.

The lead didn't last long as the Dons bats came alive in the bottom of the fourth inning. Stephen Gonzalez was hit by a pitch to start the inning followed by a Mendoza single advancing Gonzalez to third.

Julian Duran followed with a RBI-single scoring Gonzalez. Duran advanced to second on an error before Piazzisi hit a two-RBI single scoring Mendoza and Duran.

Chris Miller followed with a double to right field; Piazzisi broke for home on the throw and scored as the catcher dropped the ball, putting the Dons up 6-3.

Jake Eccles scored in the bottom of the fifth to extend the Dons lead to 7-3. Eccles led the inning off with a single and stole second base. Gonzalez followed with a RBI-double scoring Eccles from second.

The Rustlers scored twice in the top of the sixth when Rosales hit a home run, scoring Geno DeAngelis who reached on a fielder's choice. Rosales' home run cut the lead to 7-5.

Eccles answered the Rustlers come back with a lead-off home run that cleared the fence just left of centerfield. Mendoza scored in the inning as well to put SAC up 9-5.

The Dons added two more runs in the eighth, both unearned as Piazzisi reached on an error to lead the inning off. Piazzisi then stole second and advanced to third when Hart reached on a bunt single.

Chris Miller followed with a RBI-single to left field that scored Piazzisi. Miller later scored the Dons final run on a wild pitch to put SAC up 11-5. The Rustlers scored twice in the ninth before Mitchell Sianez got two Rustlers to strikeout to end the game.

Branden Pinder improved to 2-1 on the season as he pitched five and two thirds innings. He allowed five runs, four earned, on eight hits with seven strikeouts and no walks.

Brian Peacock pitched two and two thirds innings in relief to hold the Rustlers. He allowed two runs on three hits with three strikeouts before Sianez got the final two outs to end the game.

Next: Irvine Valley at Santa Ana, Tuesday, March 10 at 2:00 p.m.